Electricity Rates in Connecticut Among Highest in the Nation

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This will come as no surprise to residents and business owners in Connecticut:  the state’s electric rates are among the highest in the nation. 

In fact, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Connecticut’s residential electricity rates and industrial rates are 5th highest in the U.S, and commercial rates are 4th highest.

Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Rhode Island join Connecticut in the top 5 in each category.   Across all types of buildings, Hawaii has the most expensive electricity rates. Alaska is also one of the most expensive states for electricity, due in part to its geographic isolation from the rest of the U.S.  In the contiguous states, the Northeast commands higher energy prices, while the Midwest, South, and Northwest tend to have comparatively lower rates, according to data compiled by the federal agency.

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According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. household spends 12.70 cents per kWh of electricity.  In Connecticut, and across New England and the Northeast, the numbers are significantly higher – in some states almost double.

Top 5 States with the Most Expensive Residential Electricity Rates (cents/kWh)

  1. Hawaii: 32.09

  2. Rhode Island: 22.67

  3. Massachusetts: 22.57

  4. Alaska: 21.74

  5. Connecticut: 21.56

Top 5 States with the Most Expensive Commercial Electricity Rates (cents/kWh)

  1. Hawaii: 30.64

  2. Alaska: 19.28

  3. Rhode Island: 18.39 

  4. Connecticut: 17.44

  5. Massachusetts: 17.02

Top 5 States with the Most Expensive Industrial Electricity Rates (cents/kWh)

  1. Hawaii: 26.73

  2. Massachusetts: 17.12

  3. Alaska: 16.91

  4. Rhode Island: 14.74

  5. Connecticut: 14.51

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The latest data indicates that year-over-year rates across all sectors in Connecticut increased between February 2019 and February 2018, particularly in the Transportation sector.  Commercial rates ticked down, industrial was virtually unchanged, and residential rates moved upward. 

Residential rates across New England were the most expensive in the continental U.S., at 21.20, compared with 15.53 in the Middle Atlantic, 12.87 in the East North Central, 10.66 in the West North Central, 11.74 in the South Atlantic, 11.15 in the East South Central, 10.85 in the West South Central, 11.48 in the Mountain, and 14.99 in the Pacific Contiguous.  In the Pacific Noncontiguous region – the states of Alaska and Hawaii – the rates were 21.83 in Alaska and 33.57 in Hawaii, the only “region” more expensive than New England.